TierraMar and OzFish want to collect all your old, illegal and unwanted opera house yabby traps and recycle them into useful products for fishers, with the proceeds being used to support habitat restoration. And as a thank you, we’ll give you a new Oar-Gee Plow lure.Participating is easy! To trade in your old trap for a lure, getting the netting out of the system for good in the process, simply break down your old trap, and send us the net using the free ‘Reply Paid’ postage service.

The Yabby Trap Round-Up calls for people across NSW to hand in their opera house yabby traps, which will then be converted into new fishing products. Due to their risk to wildlife, the older opera house-style yabby traps have been illegal in many states across Australia since 2021. Instead, the newer open top nets provide a great fishing experience whilst being a better alternative for supporting a healthy ecosystem.
Since mid-2023, NSW rec fishers have been taking a proactive step towards protecting the future of fishing by dropping their yabby traps at pop up collection events across the Mid-North Coast, Gunnedah and Dubbo. Even more Trap Drop Spots have been added around the state, with upcoming events in Wagga Wagga and Orange.
OzFish have established a free “Reply Paid” service through Australia Post to support those who can’t get to an event. In return, no matter which way you take part, you’ll get a brand-new Oar-Gee Plow lure as a thanks.
How to get involved:

Post your nets
Step 1: Safely remove the fabric net
Using scissors, carefully separate the fabric net from the metal frame of your yabby trap.

Step 2: Package the net
Place the fabric netting into an appropriately sized envelope or package. Remember, we only need the net, so please recycle the metal frame locally.

Step 3: Include your details
Inside the package, include a note with your name, address, email and phone number so we can send your free Oar-Gee lure to the correct location.

Step 4: Label and post
Label the package with the following address and take it to Australia Post to use the free ‘Reply Paid’ postage service:
OzFish Unlimited
TackleLoop
Reply Paid 91075
Ballina NSW 2478

The Yabby Trap Round-Up program is an initiative of TierraMar in collaboration with OzFish Unlimited and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. It is also supported by BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.